Australia to play NZ for netball crown

Australia and New Zealand will play off for the world title in yet another chapter between netball’s greatest rivals.

The two best teams in the world advanced to the world championship grand final on Sunday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium with contrasting wins in their semi-finals.

Australia completely outplayed Jamaica with a comfortable 82-46 victory Saturday night while the Silver Ferns were made to work against England before running away with a 49-34 win.

Australia coach Norma Plummer opted to use her most experienced players against the athletic Jamaicans and the defending champions were able to control the tempo from the opening whistle.

Jamaica started sharpshooter Romelda Aiken at goal attack rather than in her usual shooter position and Australia’s physical goal defender Julie Corletto was all over her.

Aiken is the most prolific shooter in the trans-Tasman competition, playing for the Queensland Firebirds, but was restricted to just three goals in the first half before she was replaced.

Jamaica got to within two goals in the opening quarter, but that was as bright as it got for the Sunshine Girls.

Veteran Australia goaler Catherine Cox had a field day in the opening half, landing 27 goals from 33 attempts.

Jamaica made a raft of changes to try to stop the flood of goals, to no avail.

Plummer, meanwhile, didn’t make a substitution to the third quarter break, when her side was up 63-32.

The Diamonds hold the one prize the Silver Ferns don’t own – the world crown.

In their last big meeting at the Commonwealth Games last year in Delhi, the Kiwis delivered heart-break for the Australians, winning in double overtime.

New Zealand are the world No.1 ranked team but Australia will overtake them with victory on Sunday.

The Australians won’t carry any scars into their world championship showdown against arch-rivals New Zealand when the top two teams battle for the title in Singapore on Sunday.

New Zealand booked their place with a 49-34 semi-final win over England.

Australian veteran Catherine Cox said the easy win over Jamaica exceeded expectations.

“I knew we had quite a comfortable lead when I came off at three-quarter time but I didn’t realise it was 31 goals so that is amazing,” Cox said.

“Every single person played the way we should play.”

Shooter Cox had an opportunity to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal last year in Delhi but missed and the Silver Ferns took their chances.

However she said that wouldn’t be a factor in this final.

“It did haunt me for a long time but this team is vastly different to that team, everyone wants to win for different reasons.

“A few of us might want to win because of the way the Comm Games went down but any time you play NZ you want to beat them.”

Australia coach Norma Plummer opted to use her most experienced players against the athletic Jamaicans and the defending champions were able to control the tempo from the opening whistle.

Jamaica started their sharpshooter Romelda Aiken at goal attack rather than in her usual shooter position and Australia’s physical goal defender Julie Corletto was all over her.

Aiken is the most prolific shooter in the trans-Tasman competition, playing for the Queensland Firebirds, but was restricted to just three goals in the first half before she was replaced.

She made a late return but had no impact.

Meanwhile Cox had a field day, landing 39 goals from 47 attempts.

Jamaica made a raft of changes to try to stop the flood of goals, but to no avail.

The Diamonds hold the one prize the Silver Ferns don’t own – the world crown.

New Zealand are the world No.1 ranked team but Australia will overtake them with victory on Sunday.

Australia skipper Natalie von Bertouch said both teams were peaking at the right time.

“We didn’t miss a beat and we worked really hard to cut down on our errors,” she said.

“We’ve got a little bit left in our tank.”

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